Cricket News

1st August 2017

Foxes relishing home double-header

Head Coach Pierre de Bruyn and spinner Callum Parkinson said that Leicestershire Foxes want to put in two huge performances for their supporters as NatWest T20 Blast reaches a crunch period at the Fischer County Ground this week.

East Midlands rivals Notts Outlaws arrive for the next game tomorrow while Lancashire Lightning come to Leicester on Friday evening (both 6.30pm starts).

Four straight wins have been followed by the same number of defeats but there is all to play for with 12 points still up for grabs – particularly with two home games in the space of three days.

"There is no question that the players tried their best but we came out second best against a very well-organised Derbyshire side,” said de Bruyn.

“We need to pick ourselves up because there have been a couple of poor performances back-to-back but there is no doubt that we are a good side. We showed that in the first four matches and are still very much in this competition.

"We played some really good cricket at the start of this campaign and it is always going to be hard to maintain that intensity in a long competition like this.

"It's all about bouncing back after a loss. We are going back home to the Fischer County Ground and we want to put in two good performances for the supporters and pick up some more points.

"Notts are a good side but we are also a good side. We just need to hit our straps together in terms of batting, bowling and fielding.”

Slow left arm spinner Parkinson collected the Man of the Match award when the Foxes last played on Sky Sports at Durham Jets. He said the team is ready to respond after being on the end of a strong Derbyshire performance.

“Credit where credit is due, the Derbyshire bowlers put the ball in good areas right from the start and it put us under pressure,” said Parkinson. “We didn’t have enough runs to back up the early wickets that we took.

“The mood is still positive because everyone seems to be beating each other and there are two massive games this week.

“We want to play well in front of our own supporters and give them something to cheer about. It’s not an ideal run that we’re on but the results will change.

“A televised game is a great opportunity for everyone to showcase what Leicestershire Foxes are all about and make a name for themselves. The game at Durham went really well for myself and the team, and fingers crossed we can have the same result again on Wednesday.”

Captain McKay is responding well to treatment and has been named in a 14-man squad for the visit of the Outlaws, who had a terrific run chase against Yorkshire Vikings on Sunday.

de Bruyn said: “Missing Clint [McKay] has been a big blow because he leads the attack so well, so hopefully he will be okay to come back into the side.”